15 Semifinalists Compete for the “Coolest Thing Made in NC” Title
Rich variety of products reflects North Carolina’s diverse manufacturing industry
RALEIGH, N.C. – Today, the NC Chamber announced the 15 semifinalists competing to be named the coolest thing made in North Carolina. Presented by Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., the statewide online contest began with 68 nominees, and after the public submitted 18,000 votes, the top 15 were revealed. From wheel loaders to wall ovens, tobacco leaf tables to towel / tissue systems, DSM fiber to Duck Tape, flu vaccines to vocational trucks, BBQ sauce to sportfish boats, jets to the Jaws of Life, chicken breading to custom headgear and pimento cheese, the semifinalists showcase the vibrant variety of high-quality products manufactured across the state.
Business North Carolina is serving as Media Partner, and the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP) is collaborating as a Supporting Organization. As the exclusive North Carolina affiliate for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), the NC Chamber knows that a strong manufacturing industry is crucial to the state’s economic and competitive success. North Carolina’s cutting-edge manufacturing industry generates more than 17 percent of the gross state product and employs more than 10 percent of the state’s workforce.
“The NC Chamber is thrilled to congratulate the 15 semifinalists. We celebrate the entire manufacturing community – the backbone of our state’s economy for more than a century,” said Gary Salamido, president and CEO of the NC Chamber. “From producing safe and effective vaccines, to making the personal protective equipment for our health care heroes, North Carolina’s manufacturers are vital to the health of our people and our economy. As we always say at the NC Chamber: what’s made in North Carolina makes North Carolina.”
Public voting is open at coolestthingmadeinnc.com. The top five finalists will be announced on September 20 via the NC Chamber’s social media channels (follow #CoolestThingMadeinNC). The winning product will be revealed on October 1, National Manufacturing (MFG) Day. October is Manufacturing Month, and MFG Day, organized nationally by the NAM and The Manufacturing Institute, highlights the rewarding career opportunities of modern manufacturing.
In addition to receiving a trophy, the victorious company and product will be featured in NC Chamber and Business North Carolina publications, podcasts, social and digital media, among additional statewide publicity efforts.
“The Coolest Thing Made in NC” Semifinalists (alphabetical order):
| Artisan Leaf Handcrafted Tobacco Leaf Tables and Surfaces | Wilson |
| Additive America Custom Headgear | Kinston |
| Bosch SideOpen Door Wall Oven | New Bern |
| Caterpillar’s Cat® 938M Wheel Loader | Clayton |
| DSM Dyneema Fiber | Greenville |
| Duck Tape | Stony Point |
| Flucelvax Influenza Vaccine by Seqirus | Holly Springs |
| George’s BBQ Sauce | Nashville |
| HondaJet EliteS | Greensboro |
| House-Autry Chicken Breading Mix | Four Oaks |
| HURST Jaws of Life Rescue tool system | Shelby |
| Jarrett Bay Boats Custom Sportfish Boats | Beaufort |
| Queen Charlotte’s Original Pimento Cheese | Charlotte |
| Transcend Towel & Tissue System by von Drehle | Newton |
| Western Star 49X Vocational Truck | Cleveland, NC |
About the NC Chamber
The NC Chamber works to research, develop, advocate, and communicate for solutions and policies that produce a nationally competitive business climate in North Carolina. For more information, visit ncchamber.com.
About Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. is one of the largest North American less-than-truckload (“LTL”) motor carriers and provides regional, inter-regional and national LTL services through a single integrated, union-free organization. Our service offerings, which include expedited transportation, are provided through an expansive network of service centers located throughout the continental United States. The Company also maintains strategic alliances with other carriers to provide LTL services throughout North America. In addition to its core LTL services, the Company offers a range of value-added services including container drayage, truckload brokerage and supply chain consulting.